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Prep Bowl, Nine-Man: Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley 40, Grand Meadow 22

By Nicolas Hallettnhallett@pioneerpress.com

Posted:
11/23/2012 12:01:00 AM CST

Updated:
11/24/2012 08:25:14 PM CST

Grand Meadow will remember the name Jason Montonye.

Montonye's monster performance in the Nine-Man division championship game -- two rushing touchdowns, an 82-yard kick return for a touchdown and an interception -- propelled Clinton-Graceville-Beardsley to its first state title, as the Wolverines wore down Grand Meadow 40-22 with a relentless running game Friday, Nov. 23, at the Metrodome.

"I got lucky enough to step up big," Montonye said. "Run like a man, (coach) says, and I try to do that."

Montonye carried 13 times for 133 yards. Austin Maanum led the Wolverines with 189 yards on 20 carries and two touchdowns.

The duo handled the bulk of the rushing duties after co-captain Logan Nordly was lost to season-ending knee surgery after the section final.

"The guys stepped up big when I went down, and that makes the injury a lot easier to take," Nordly said.

Nordly led the team in rushing, touchdowns and tackles before his injury.

"I kept telling him, you're in it. No matter what, you're still a part of this," Maanum said of Nordly, a senior. "It's great to get him a title."

After the game, Nordly was able to hoist the trophy, but it wasn't quite how he pictured his dream moment.

"I had one crutch on the ground and one hand holding the trophy," he said. "I imagined it being in pads, but holding that trophy up ... I don't care if I was in pads or not; that was amazing."

"Amazing" describes the CGB running game that torched Grand Meadow for 393 yards.

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The Wolverines outrushed the Superlarks by 207 yards in the first half, though each team had an equal number of carries, 20. Montonye led the way in the first two quarters with 110 yards.

"He had a super game," CGB coach Brian Dahl said. "He was third on our team in rushing coming into this game, and he really stepped up today."

Though they were the game's stars, Maanum and Montonye exuded a team-first attitude. Montonye said his favorite moment was blocking for quarterback Damon Gibson on Gibson's 39-yard touchdown run.

"It was a total team effort; I couldn't have done it without these guys," Montonye said. "We play like a family; we all do our jobs."